Germany’s Federal Cartel Says Amazon’s Pricing Rules Are Anti-Competitive

Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has accused Amazon of abusing its market power by enforcing pricing rules on third-party sellers using its platform.

According to the regulator, Amazon penalises sellers who do not comply with its pricing limits by reducing product visibility or removing listings, a practice deemed anti-competitive. The watchdog noted that these rules are especially concerning when sellers cannot cover their costs. Andreas Mundt, head of the office, stated that Amazon’s influence on competitor pricing is questionable, as it also sells directly on the platform. Amazon controls about 60% of Germany’s online retail market and disputes the findings, stating its pricing policies benefit customers.

The investigation began in November 2022, and Amazon now has the opportunity to respond.